Rethinking Animal Feed Supplements and their Risk of Antimicrobial Resistance Selection

This project is offered as part of the Medical Research Foundation National PhD Training Programme in AMR: https://www.findaphd.com/search/PhDDetails.aspx?CAID=3755

Bioactive plant-derived compounds are novel feed additives which have the potential to improve animal health and potentially reduce methane emissions (in cows), while reducing the selection pressure from antimicrobials. This studentship aims to critically examine the viability of the drive to replace antimicrobials and metals with botanicals. The studentship will characterise the risk posed by botanicals in selecting for relevant antimicrobial resistance determinants, while ultimately informing the development of novel dairy cow feed supplements. You will work with molecular microbiologists at the NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and animal scientists at the University of Reading designing and conducting animal experiments at the Centre for Dairy Research, to determine the antimicrobial resistance selection pressure imposed by botanicals relative to the chemicals they replace. You will receive training and certification to work with animals, as well as access to the recently renovated Chemical Analysis Facility (University of Reading) and Metabolism Laboratory for the analysis of feed and faecal samples for their chemical composition and plant-derived bioactive compounds. The successful candidate will be enrolled in NERC SCENARIO Doctoral Training Partnership at Reading which will provide additional training opportunities and local student cohort activities.

Apply here: http://www.reading.ac.uk/graduateschool/how-to-apply/gs-how-to-apply-pgr.aspx

Please apply for a PhD in Animal, Dairy & Food Chain Sciences using the application form in the weblink above, quoting the project title and Dr Partha Ray as a supervisor. You need to choose: Agriculture, Policy and Development under the ‘School’ section, and under the ‘Research Proposal/Details’ section, please indicate that you are applying for a Medical Research Foundation National PhD Training Programme in AMR Research funded project.